NEW YEAR'S DAY Observed - Building Closed for Holiday

January 2, 2023 – 10:30 AM

Happy New Year!
Building Closed for Holiday

Dear friends,

As many of you know, Sue and I have developed a habit of printing picture Christmas cards and sending them out to you with Christmas and New Years greetings.

Somehow in the midst of this year’s craziness that did not happen. But I did have a picture picked out: we got a great sunset picture (actually one of many) down at the big lake, and that got me thinking.

If you didn’t know it was taken at one of our local beaches, you wouldn’t know if it was sunset or sunrise. And at this time of year that seems particularly appropriate.

There is a reason why Christmas is celebrated right as we turn the corner from the longest nights of winter. There are good arguments to be made for Jesus’ birth having taken place in March, we don’t really know a date, but those of us in the northern hemisphere have latched onto this season as a symbol of moving from dark to light, from depression, even despair to hope. And so, what better time to celebrate the birth of Christ, the angel message, and the Epiphany (literally “shining”) of the Wise Men.

This cycle of the passing years was captured so beautifully in the wedding song from “Fiddler on the Roof”:

I don’t remember growing older, when did they…
Sunrise, sunset, swiftly fly the years.
One season following another, laden with happiness and tears.

We hope you had a Merry Christmas, and we hope you have a wonderful New Year, filled with more happiness than tears. But through it all may we hang on to the faith that this season emphasizes – Immanuel, God with us, present with every one of us in love. With much love for you all, from Sue and I.

Grace and peace,

Rev. Tim

Photo by Joe Leahy on Unsplash